WAUKESHA, WI - AUGUST 12: Republican vice presidential candidate and Wisconsin native Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) high-fives his son during a campaign event at the Waukesha Expo Center on August 12, 2012 in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Romney continues his four day bus tour a day after announcing his running mate, Rep. Paul Ryan. (Photo by Darren Hauck/Getty Images) less

WAUKESHA, WI - AUGUST 12: Republican vice presidential candidate and Wisconsin native Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) high-fives his son during a campaign event at the Waukesha Expo Center on August 12, 2012 in ... more

Photo: Darren Hauck / Getty Images

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WAUKESHA, WI - AUGUST 12: Republican vice presidential candidate and Wisconsin native Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) greets supporters during a campaign event at the Waukesha Expo Center on August 12, 2012 in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Romney continues his four day bus tour a day after announcing his running mate, Rep. Paul Ryan. (Photo by Darren Hauck/Getty Images) less

WAUKESHA, WI - AUGUST 12: Republican vice presidential candidate and Wisconsin native Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) speaks during a campaign event at the Waukesha Expo Center on August 12, 2012 in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Romney continues his four day bus tour a day after announcing his running mate, Rep. Paul Ryan. (Photo by Darren Hauck/Getty Images) less

WAUKESHA, WI - AUGUST 12: Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and vice presidential candidate and Wisconsin native Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) (L) hug after speaking at a campaign event at the Waukesha Expo Center on August 12, 2012 in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Romney continues his four day bus tour a day after announcing his running mate, Rep. Paul Ryan. (Photo by Darren Hauck/Getty Images) less

WAUKESHA, WI - AUGUST 12: Supporters listen as Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and vice presidential candidate and Wisconsin native Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) speak during a campaign event at the Waukesha Expo Center on August 12, 2012 in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Romney continues his four day bus tour a day after announcing his running mate, Rep. Paul Ryan. (Photo by Darren Hauck/Getty Images) less

WAUKESHA, WI - AUGUST 12: Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and vice presidential candidate and Wisconsin native Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) (R) speak to supporters during a campaign event at the Waukesha Expo Center on August 12, 2012 in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Romney continues his four day bus tour a day after announcing his running mate, Rep. Paul Ryan. (Photo by Darren Hauck/Getty Images) less

WAUKESHA, WI - AUGUST 12: Republican vice presidential candidate and Wisconsin native Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) speaks during a campaign event at the Waukesha Expo Center on August 12, 2012 in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Romney continues his four day bus tour a day after announcing his running mate, Rep. Paul Ryan. (Photo by Darren Hauck/Getty Images) less

Republican vice presidential running mate Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., left, fights back tears with his family, wife Janna, daughter Liza with sons Charles and Sam, at his side during a welcome home rally, Sunday, ... more

TAMPA, FL - AUGUST 27: A person wears a button with the likeness of Republican vice presidential candidate, U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) during the Republican National Convention at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on August 27, 2012 in Tampa, Florida. The RNC is scheduled to convene today, but will hold its first full session tomorrow after being delayed due to Tropical Storm Isaac. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) less

TAMPA, FL - AUGUST 27: A person wears a button with the likeness of Republican vice presidential candidate, U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) during the Republican National Convention at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on ... more

Photo: Spencer Platt / Getty Images

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JANESVILLE, WI - AUGUST 27: The presumptive vice presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) arrives during a "Send-off" rally August, 27, 2012 in Janesville, Wisconsin. Ryan and presumptive presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney will be on their way to Tampa, Florida for the Republican National Covent ion. The convention was gaveled open August 27 and immediately recessed until tomorrow because of Tropical Storm Isaac. (Photo by Jeffrey Phelps/Getty Images) less

JANESVILLE, WI - AUGUST 27: The presumptive vice presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) speaks during a "Send-off" rally August, 27, 2012 in Janesville, Wisconsin. Ryan and presumptive presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney will be on their way to Tampa, Florida for the Republican National Convention. The convention was gaveled open August 27 and immediately recessed until tomorrow because of Tropical Storm Isaac. (Photo by Jeffrey Phelps/Getty Images) less

JANESVILLE, WI - AUGUST 27: The presumptive vice presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) shakes hands during a "Send-Off" rally August, 27, 2012 in Janesville, Wisconsin. Ryan and presumptive presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney will be on their way to Tampa, Florida for the Republican National Convention. The convention was gaveled open August 27 and immediately recessed until tomorrow because of Tropical Storm Isaac. (Photo by Jeffrey Phelps/Getty Images) less

JANESVILLE, WI - AUGUST 27: The presumptive vice presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) greets people during a "Send-Off" rally August, 27, 2012 in Janesville, Wisconsin. Ryan and presumptive presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney will be on their way to Tampa, Florida for the Republican National Convention. The convention was gaveled open August 27 and immediately recessed until tomorrow because of Tropical Storm Isaac. (Photo by Jeffrey Phelps/Getty Images) less

JANESVILLE, WI - AUGUST 27: Presumptive vice presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) (R) kisses his wife Janna Ryan during a "Send-Off" rally August, 27, 2012 in Janesville, Wisconsin. Ryan and presumptive presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney will be on their way to Tampa, Florida for the Republican National Convention. The convention was gaveled open August 27 and immediately recessed until tomorrow because of Tropical Storm Isaac. (Photo by Jeffrey Phelps/Getty Images) *** BESTPIX *** less

JANESVILLE, WI - AUGUST 27: Janna Ryan (R) and her son Sam Ryan wave during a "Send-Off" rally for her husband presumptive vice presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) August, 27, 2012 in Janesville, Wisconsin. Ryan and presumptive presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney will be on their way to Tampa, Florida for the Republican National Convention. The convention was gaveled open August 27 and immediately recessed until tomorrow because of Tropical Storm Isaac. (Photo by Jeffrey Phelps/Getty Images) less

JANESVILLE, WI - AUGUST 27: Janna Ryan (R) and her son Sam Ryan wave during a "Send-Off" rally for her husband presumptive vice presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) August, 27, 2012 in ... more

Republican vice presidential candidate, Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., follows his family upon their arrival at Tampa International Airport in Tampa, Fla.,Tuesday, Aug. 28 ,2012. From left are, sons Charlie and Sam, daughter Liza and wife Janna. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) less

Republican vice presidential candidate, Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., follows his family upon their arrival at Tampa International Airport in Tampa, Fla.,Tuesday, Aug. 28 ,2012. From left are, sons Charlie and ... more

FILE - In this Aug. 11, 2012, file photo Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, with his wife Ann, and his newly announced vice presidential running mate, Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., far right, and his wife, Janna, during a campaign rally in Manassas, Va. The Romneys envision a White House enlivened by “little feet in the hallway”, 18 visiting grandkids and they are dishing out personal details as they try to warm up a candidate burdened by a cold-fish image. America may not be ready for this one: Instead of syrup, Mitt Romney slathers his pancakes with peanut butter. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File) less

LAKELAND, FL - AUGUST 31: Republican vice presidential candidate, U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) (L) looks on as Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney speaks during an RNC Farewell Victory rally on August 31, 2012 in Lakeland, Florida. A day after former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney was nominated as the Republican presidential candidate at the RNC, he and his running mate Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) returned to the campaign trail. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) less

LAKELAND, FL - AUGUST 31: Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) talks with his running mate Republican vice presidential candidate, U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) before parting ways following an RNC Farewell Victory rally on August 31, 2012 in Lakeland, Florida. A day after former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney was nominated as the Republican presidential candidate at the RNC, he and his running mate Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) returned to the campaign trail. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) less

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney (C) and Vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan (C-R) pose with campaign staff for the official photo at the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa, Florida, on August 30, 2012 ahead of the day's Republican National Convention (RNC) events. The RNC will culminate later today with the formal nomination of Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan as the GOP presidential and vice-presidential candidates in the US presidential election. AFP PHOTO Brendan SMIALOWSKIBRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/GettyImages less

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney (C) and Vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan (C-R) pose with campaign staff for the official photo at the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa, Florida, on August 30, ... more

Photo: AFP/Getty Images

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Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney (C-L) and vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan (C-R) are surrounded by campaign staff and security at the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa, Florida, on August 30, 2012 ahead of the day's Republican National Convention (RNC) events. The RNC will culminate later today with the formal nomination of Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan as the GOP presidential and vice-presidential candidates in the US presidential election. AFP PHOTO Brendan SMIALOWSKIBRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/GettyImages less

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney (C-L) and vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan (C-R) are surrounded by campaign staff and security at the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa, Florida, on August 30, ... more

Photo: AFP/Getty Images

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Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney (R) and Vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan wave at the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa, Florida, on August 30, 2012 on the final day of the Republican National Convention (RNC). The RNC culminates today with the formal nomination of Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan as the GOP presidential and vice-presidential candidates in the US presidential election. AFP PHOTO Brendan SMIALOWSKIBRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/GettyImages less

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney (R) and Vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan wave at the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa, Florida, on August 30, 2012 on the final day of the Republican National ... more

Photo: AFP/Getty Images

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Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and Vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan and their family members stand on stage at the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa, Florida, on August 30, 2012 on the final day of the Republican National Convention (RNC). The RNC culminates today with the formal nomination of Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan as the GOP presidential and vice-presidential candidates in the US presidential election. AFP PHOTO Stan HONDASTAN HONDA/AFP/GettyImages less

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and Vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan and their family members stand on stage at the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa, Florida, on August 30, 2012 on the final ... more

Photo: AFP/Getty Images

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TOPSHOTS Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney (R) and vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan hugeach other on the stage at the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa, Florida, on August 30, 2012 on the final day of the Republican National Convention (RNC). The RNC culminates today with the formal nomination of Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan as the GOP presidential and vice-presidential candidates in the US presidential election. AFP PHOTO / Mladen ANTONOVMLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/GettyImages less

TOPSHOTS Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney (R) and vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan hugeach other on the stage at the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa, Florida, on August 30, 2012 on the final day ... more

Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney and Republican vice presidential nominee, Rep. Paul Ryan pose with their campaign staff for a group picture at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012.(AP Photo/Charles Dharapak) less

Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney and Republican vice presidential nominee, Rep. Paul Ryan pose with their campaign staff for a group picture at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on ... more

Photo: Associated Press

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Republican vice presidential nominee, Rep. Paul Ryan tosses a balloon during the celebration at the end of the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) less

Republican vice presidential nominee, Rep. Paul Ryan tosses a balloon during the celebration at the end of the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott ... more

In this Aug. 29, 2012, photo, Republican vice presidential nominee, Rep. Paul Ryan addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla. It was Mitt Romney’s show. But New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie rocked the house. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio was the talk of the town. And Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan’s rising-star status was blinding as he accepted the party’s vice presidential nomination. The Republican Party’s next generation of leaders were in deep supply at the GOP’s national convention as they positioned for future national roles and, perhaps, even their own shot at the White House in four or eight years. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) less

OK, OK. The weekend of spin is over. Let’s take a good, hard look at the assets and liabilities that Wisconsin congressman Paul Ryan brings to Mitt Romney’s ticket.

First up, we’ll look at ten reasons why Ryan could improve Romney’s chances of beating President Obama this fall.

This afternoon, we’ll review some reasons why Ryan could hurt the GOP’s chances. Let us know what you think of Ryan’s selection — and our analysis — by posting a comment.

1. He excites the Republican Party’s conservative base.

More than any other vice presidential prospect, Ryan inspires enthusiasm among core Republicans. A CNN/ORC International poll last week found that 46 percent of likely GOP voters approve of Ryan while just 7 percent disapprove — the best ratio of any VP finalist. Conservative activist Bay Buchanan, a Romney campaign adviser, put it this way: “Paul Ryan is a conservative hero.” In an election that could boil down to which party can generate the most excitement, that could make a difference.

2. He is a budget expert.

As chairman of the House Budget Committee, he is the man with a plan to reduce government spending and cut taxes. More than rhetorical skills, Ryan has substantive knowledge of the issues that voters say are most important to them this year. “What Paul Ryan brings to the ticket is now a serious conversation about debt, taxes, spending, energy, entitlement reform,” said Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell.

3. He is a man of action.

Ryan put together the deepest package of budget cuts that could be swallowed by his very conservative House colleagues. Like it or not, he didn’t just talk. He acted. “Others were simply content to sit on the sidelines and make political points,” said Penny Nance of the conservative group Concerned Women for America. “Congressman Ryan was determined to be a grown-up and work for a real solution.”

4. He could help the Republicans in a key swing state — Wisconsin.

Ronald Reagan is the last Republican to carry Wisconsin in a presidential election (as part of his 49-state landslide) in 1984. But recent state trends have been good for the GOP: capturing the governorship, surviving a gubernatorial recall election, unseating an incumbent Democratic senator and gaining congressional seats. Could Ryan tip the balance at the presidential level in 2012? He’s not all that well known statewide (like Gov. Scott Walker), but in a razor-thin election, he just might help.

5. He could help Romney attract blue-collar Catholic voters.

Ryan’s district is heavily Catholic; almost half of its voters are of German, Polish or Irish ancestry, according to the Almanac of American Politics. Ryan could go toe-to-toe with fellow Irish Catholic Joe Biden this fall. If Ryan connects with non-Hispanic Catholics, he could bring Ohio, Pennsylvania and Michigan — which have been slipping away from Romney for months — back into play. He also could help in heavily Catholic eastern Iowa.

6. Social conservatives just love him.

The Religious Right thinks Ryan is right on everything, from abortion to gay marriage to evolution. Maureen Ferguson and Ashley McGuire of The Catholic Association, a group of religious conservatives, declared: “As a smart, serious Catholic, Congressman Ryan has been steadfast on issues of fundamental principle — defending religious liberty, life, and traditional marriage. Ryan is a Catholic who believes that faith, including his own, has a rightful place in the public square.” His votes on religious matters earned him a grade of “F” from the Secular Coalition for America. Enough said.

7. His selection has caused skeptical conservatives to look at Romney in a different light.

Romney was never the darling of his party’s right wing, and had to fend off serial challenges from conservative presidential rivals Michele Bachmann, Rick Perry, Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum. But the former moderate Republican from Massachusetts seems to have won over the conservative establishment now. “What is most gratifying about the decision is … what it says about Romney himself,” the National Review wrote in an editorial. “Romney could have decided to run a vague and vacuous campaign based on the idea that the public would default to the out party in a bad economy. By selecting Ryan, he has ensured that the campaign will instead to a significant degree be about a conservative governing agenda.”

8. His lack of experience in international issues matches Barack Obama’s four years ago — and he has a deeper record of domestic policy accomplishments.

It’s hard for Democrats to attack Ryan’s dearth of foreign policy experience because, well, President Obama didn’t have deep international experience when he ran — for PRESIDENT — in 2008. And the Wisconsin congressman has served in Congress for a decade longer than then-candidate Obama. Republican loyalists like the comparisons. “My guess is that Barack Obama has a sick feeling in his stomach today,” Texas Republican Rep. Kevin Brady said after Romney announced his pick.

9. He has impeccable experience as a staffer and an elected official.

Yes, he’s young. But he has a long record. As a young staff member for 1996 vice presidential nominee Jack Kemp and former Reagan drug czar Bill Bennett, Ryan impressed Republicans (and a few Democrats) with his detailed knowledge of the federal budget and the tough choices facing the nation. The late Kemp and Bennett both enhance Ryan’s conservative bona fides. And he’s served in Congress for 14 years.

10. The mainstream media elite likes him (sort of).

Yes, yes, we’ve heard it before: The liberal media will never give a conservative Republican a break.

But they did. So-called liberal publications called Romney’s pick bold and inspired. They called him smart and a man of substance. “Romney shook up the presidential race Saturday morning with a single stroke,” Time magazine declared. Well, a few establishment pundits did dismiss Romney’s call as a “Hail Mary.” But it could have been a lot worse. Just think of the media elite’s response to the last two young conservative GOP choices for VP: Dan Quayle and Sarah Palin.